06/29/16   Scam Costs Elderly Carthage Woman $27,000.00

An 89 year old Carthage woman has been scammed out of $27,000.00. According to a Dallas County Sheriff's Department report, dated May 23,  The Carthage woman was contacted by phone on April 26 and told she had won the Publisher's Clearing House prize money and was told taxes needed to be paid. She was instructed to withdraw cash from her account.

On April 26, she withdrew $3,525.00. It was placed inside a book and placed inside a manila envelope and placed in a drop box outside the Carthage Post Office. On April 28, $15,500.00 was withdrawn and mailed. May 3, another $4,000.00 was sent and May 10, $4,000.00 more. Each time only two or three stamps were placed on the envelope.

The packages were mailed to addresses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The elderly in particular should beware of anyone requesting they withdraw money from their account without first checking with a relative or someone in law enforcement.